Chapter 17: Shuchiin Academy Needs to be Corrected
Hearing this,
Asuna silently complained in her heart. No matter how you looked at it, for a student to speak to their homeroom teacher like that, his attitude was a bit too arrogant, wasn't it?
Miwa Ashikaga, however, did not get angry. She simply nodded.
"Yes, I do not want to waste time either, so I will keep it brief."
Her next words left Asuna completely confused.
"Your performance today was very good. It completely matched… no, it even exceeded my expectations."
Noticing Asuna's puzzled look, Asagiri did not drag things out and explained directly.
"It is actually very simple. Ashikaga sensei reached an agreement with me some time ago. She wanted me to enroll in Private Shuchiin Academy, and in exchange, she would give me as many privileges as she could, such as skipping classes, taking leave, and exemption from all tuition fees."
"Huh? Why…"
The more Asagiri explained, the more confused Asuna became.
Given Shuchiin Academy's status, why would they offer such conditions to a student? It sounded almost like the school was begging him to attend.
"Since Utsunomiya trusts you, I will be straightforward."
Ashikaga pushed her glasses up slightly, her tone flat.
"I am very dissatisfied with the current Shuchiin Academy."
"This place used to be known as the cradle of future talents in Japan, the undisputed number one high school. Students who graduated from here would become leaders in politics, business, the military, and many other fields."
At this point, Ashikaga's tone shifted, a clear disgust flashing in her eyes.
"But now, look at what this so-called cradle of talents has turned into."
"A bunch of pampered young ladies and young masters who have never faced real hardship, yet act as if they are superior to everyone else. Their actual abilities are only at that level, but they cling to a foolish sense of pride. They are like naive giant babies, raised in the greenhouse that is Shuchiin Academy. There are even so-called pure-school factions that ostracize and target students who transfer in midway. It is truly sickening."
"The future of Japan is supposed to be handed to these people? I absolutely refuse to accept that."
She then sighed softly.
"However, when I brought up at the board meeting that Shuchiin Academy needs to change, most members rejected my proposal. The strongest opposition came from the current chairman, Oko Shinomiya. He said that the students of Shuchiin Academy, and the academy itself, are superior beings and that there is no need for such pointless worry. He even dismissed my idea as nothing more than a woman's opinion that has no value for discussion."
Asuna frowned slightly.
"That is too much… calling it a 'woman's opinion' in a formal board meeting… that chairman…"
"That is the kind of person he is."
Ashikaga waved a hand dismissively, then turned her gaze back to Asagiri, who sat on the sofa.
"Just when I did not know what to do, I found out about Utsunomiya Asagiri. If he enrolled in Shuchiin Academy as a new student, I thought perhaps he could change the atmosphere of this place."
"Huh? Why him?"
Asuna still did not understand.
After all, Ashikaga did not know about Asagiri's identity as a Player. In her eyes, he was just another student. How could one new student possibly change the rotten atmosphere that had built up over so many years?
"It seems you do not know him very well."
Seeing Asuna's confusion, Ashikaga spoke in the same calm tone.
"Let me introduce him properly. Utsunomiya is the top scorer in this year's Japan joint examination, and also the top scorer in the Private Shuchiin Academy entrance exam. In his second and third years of junior high, he won the national junior high tennis singles championship twice, the national junior high badminton singles championship, and the national junior high basketball championship."
Asagiri, who had been quietly listening, immediately interrupted.
"Huh? That is it? What about my most important, most glorious achievement?"
"Oh, there is one more," Ashikaga said, sounding a little helpless.
"In his third year of junior high, five delinquents blocked him on his way home and tried to extort money. He single-handedly sent all five to the hospital, while he himself only suffered a few minor scratches. I do not know why he considers that his most important, most glorious achievement."
She paused slightly, then looked at Asuna.
"So, you should understand now. A student like Utsunomiya, outstanding to this degree in both academics and sports, and also a transfer student… even if he does nothing, his mere existence is a sharp thorn in the eyes of those pure-school students who think too highly of themselves and have no idea how big the world really is."
"That is enough speeches for one day."
Asagiri glanced around the spacious office, then smiled at Ashikaga.
"Asuna and I have something we need to talk about in private. Ashikaga sensei, how about you go have lunch first?"
"You are acting like this office is yours," Ashikaga said.
But she still took a key from her pocket, placed it on the desk, and stood up.
"This is the spare key to my office. You can keep it. Remember to lock the door when you leave."
After Ashikaga left, Asagiri finally turned to look at Asuna.
"Alright, time to talk about serious business. You have seen the messages in the app, right?"
Asuna nodded.
"Yes, I have."
"Then let me ask first. Do you live alone?"
"For now, yes."
"That makes things convenient."
Asuna did not think there was any strange implication behind the word "convenient." She knew exactly what he meant. If she lived alone, they would have a private place where they could enter the dungeon without being disturbed.
"Let me tell you my thoughts first."
Asuna pursed her lips, straightened her posture, placed her hands neatly on her thighs, and looked directly at Asagiri.
"I think from now on, we should make good use of our time and actively sign up to enter dungeons."
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